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O O O Pandemic Outbreak/Epidemic Infectious diseases emerging throughout history have included some of the most feared plagues of the past. New infections continue to emerge today, while many of the old plagues are still with us. As demonstrated by influenza epidemics, under suitable circumstances, a new infection first appearing anywhere in the world could travel across entire continents within days or weeks (Morse, 1996). Due to the potential of complex health and medical conditions that can threaten the general population, Florida's vulnerability to an epidemic is continually being monitored. With millions of tourists brriving and departing the state annually, disease and disease exposure ( airborne, vector, and ingestion) are constantly evaluated and analyzed Florida Department of Community Affairs, 1998). Primarily as a result of the entrance of undocumented aliens into south Florida, and the large number of small wildlife, previously controlled or eradicated diseases have surfaced. Health officials closely monitor this potential threat to the public health. The emphasis upon preventive medical measures such as school inoculation, pet licensing, rodent/insect eradication, water purification, sanitary waste disposal, health inspections, and public health educt tion, mitigate this potential disaster. Another potential threat to south Florida's population is food contamination. Frequent news stories document that E-co/i and botulism breakouts throughout the country are not that uncommon. Most recently, millions of pounds of possibly contaminated beef from the Hudson packing plant were seized by the Department of Agriculture and destroyed. Seismic Hazards 1) Dam/Levee Failure Dam/levee failure poses a minor threat to population and property in Indian River County. All dams and levees are earthen structures and are state, regional, local, or privately controlled. The most significant Indian River County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan Basic Page 24